Top 10 Siesta Key Rainy Day Activities

Redirecting your energies on rainy days is all in the bag here in the Siesta Key area. We have you covered for great alternative ideas at close by venues in Siesta Key and the surrounding Sarasota area to dodge the rain! Always watch the hourly forecast as many summer rains last less than an hour and provide a quick cool off with the sun returning in not time. However, when the beach is out for a day of rain, don’t pout, for there is so much to do near throughout the area where you’ll keep dry and have plenty of fun!

Livingston’s Amusements
This great venue in Sarasota is perfect rain or shine but is a true go to when the rain clouds are overhead. Here you’ll find rock climbing, an arcade with a ticket redemption center and video games, go carts, bazooka ball, billiards, a bar and grill and more. A perfect place for the whole family!

Catch a Latest Flick at 3 Area Movie Theaters
Pass the popcorn and hopefully a hit movie will offer enough time for the clouds to pass! Select from three movie theaters close to Siesta Key – AMC 12 located at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall which also is home to IMAX experiences, Regal Hollywood 20 Stadium Sarasota on Main Street and Parkway 8 Cinema – a smaller theater locals love.

Siesta Key Village ShopsSiesta Key Village has 100 different shops for your interest and pleasure. You might have to walk between the raindrops if you forgot your umbrella but there are plenty of places to duck inside. Walking through the village for trinkets, beach wear, t-shirts, and all the contemporary clothing styles is a vacationer’s dream. Stop along the way to experience a popular restaurant, bakery or ice cream shop.

Go BowlingEnjoy bowling and billiards with an in-house pub and diner at Sarasota Lanes! Enjoy a terrific sporting facility designed for your friends and family. Don’t miss Friday and Saturday nights for unlimited Cosmic Bowling until 12:30 AM.

St. Armands CircleNorth of Siesta Key in Sarasota, this 1920s style palm tree lined shopping district has an international/ Mediterranean panache to it. Experience a lovely day of trendy shopping for fine apparel, art and pottery. Duck inside one of many restaurants offering French, Spanish, Irish, Italian and Caribbean cuisine.

South Florida MuseumVisit the Bradenton planetarium for amazing Starshows. Enjoy rock and roll laser light shows Friday and Saturday nights. Check out the 60,000 gallon aquarium with live manatees swimming.

Ringling MuseumEstablished in 1927, The Ringling Museum in Sarasota offers an astounding twenty-one galleries of European paintings and American art. Worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the museum’s art collection currently holds paintings and sculptures from around the world. Ringling is the state art museum of Florida.

Sarasota Classic Car MuseumHere is a great place to see antique exotic one-of-a-kind classics. The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is recognized as the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the U.S. See John Lennon’s 1965 Mercedes Benz, and Paul McCartney’s beloved Mini Cooper. The museum features over 75 rare automobiles with a gift shop offering plenty of collectibles and much more!

Mote Marine AquariumSince 1980, this Sarasota aquarium and its 135,000 gallon marine display aquarium now hosts hundreds of marine animals and is a staple for visitors to the Siesta Key area year after year. See turtles, stingrays, eels, sharks, and manatees! The Aquarium provides special tours designed to show visitors animal care.

Head to the Mall
Sarasota is home to two great malls – The Mall at University Town Center and Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, both a short drive off Siesta Key and into Sarasota. You’ll find anchor department stores such as Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s, JC Penney, dozens of nation brand shops and restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory Restaurant, Seasons 52,

Ellenton Premium Outlets – 130 Outlet Stores!
This one is a little bit of a trip and will take a solid 30-45 car ride from Siesta Key but is well worth it and easy to get to. Just head out east on Clark Rd. or Fruitville Rd. and catch I-75 North for about 15 or 20 miles to exit 224 and you’ll find Ellenton Premium Outlets. Tons of great brands and deals and plenty of restaurants in the immediate area.